Fire risk in grasslands still high

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Signs warning people of the fire risk on the Wither Hills Farm Park in Marlborough have been taken down, but a total fire ban for the region is still in place.

Marlborough Kaikoura Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Richard McNamara said despite the cooling temperatures and rain in the past two weeks, there was still potential for wildfire in the grasslands south of the Wither Hills down to the Molesworth Station.

The total fire ban for the Marlborough District Council area south of the Wairau River started on February 6.

It was expected to continue until the end of the month, Mr McNamara said.

However, the cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings had lessened the fire risk to the Wither Hills.

The signs, put up on February 21, warned people to stay out of the area during the hottest hours of the day. "There's a bit of a green flush on the hills as we come into autumn," he said.